Ho sfiorato il cielo

Meeting with Paolo De Chiesa and Sergio Barducci.

Free entry until seats are filled

From triumphs with the Valanga Azzurra, which has marked the history of world skiing, to the nightmares of a gunshot to the face from which he miraculously escaped. It is the extraordinary story of Paolo De Chiesa, the slalom skier who ignited the passion of ski enthusiasts.

In Cortina, he tells us about his life, his loved ones and his beginnings on the snow, revealing a dramatic fact that has remained hidden until now: “I was at the peak of my strength, I was 22 years old and going really fast. I’m alive by miracle; I suffered heavy consequences and no one has ever apologized to me, even though I always covered for those responsible. Even today, the pain torments me.” 

His unwavering tenacity and desire to return to the podiums of the World Cup made him a protagonist again, successfully facing rivals of the caliber of Ingemar Stenmark or Phil Mahre. I touched the sky (Minerva) is a snapshot of a life lived intensely, alongside the champions of world skiing. 

Today, television commentator for skiing competitions, when he’s not traveling the world, Paolo lives in Saluzzo, filled with his usual passion, which he has shifted to ski mountaineering: he climbs using skins and muscle power and descends on white blankets of fresh snow. 

Follow the event live here!

Paolo De Chiesa competed in his first race at 7 years old, in Crissolo. Cesco Deflorian was his mentor and coach for many years. He debuted in the World Cup at 18, with the Valanga Azzurra. He reached the World Cup podium 12 times and finished in the top ten 52 times. He retired from competitive skiing in 1986, starting his journalism career first at Telemontecarlo, then at Rai, as a commentator for ski competitions, where he is still active. He has collaborated with the magazine “Sciare.” He was the editor of the magazine “Sci.” He worked for five years for the organizing committee of the 2006 Turin Olympics. 

Sergio Barducci is a television journalist, for a long time responsible for the news program for the radio-television of the Republic of San Marino. Together with Maurizio Costanzo, he edited and hosted the program Excuse me, can you tell me… for three seasons. He has published with Aiep Seen from Afar and Nothing is the same anymore. With Minerva, he has published Between Levant and Ponent, I Speak to You About Us, A Life Full of Future and Walk and You Will Reach the Sun. He has received the Rimini-Europe-World International Award and the Cattolica City International Literary Award Pegasus Literary Awards.